150 Deaths on Our Roads Each Year

The figures obtained from Ben Buntipilly, Advisor Road Safety Office of the Prime Minister speak for themselves. In 2009, there were 140 deaths on our roads, but 156 died last year. "These figures are alarming but it is expected that there will be a decline this year," said Ben Buntipilly, who attended Wednesday the launch of a workshop on road safety and the MS ISO39001 standard: 2012 by the Mauritius Standards Bureau in Reduit.

"The number of accidents on our roads is unacceptable," said the counselor. He also recalled a study by the World Bank this year in Mauritius shows that there is a lack of clear policies and well-defined road safety. "The World Bank has recommended the establishment of a body to the office of Prime Minister in charge of road safety planning and coordination, monitoring traffic safety and evaluation. It also recommends the development of a national road safety strategy and action plan based on the concept of 'Vision Zero', "he said, adding that 'Vision Zero' is a Swedish approach to thinking about security Road which is summarized in one sentence: no loss of life is acceptable.

Ben Buntipilly advocates 'Vision Zero'

With the number of deaths on our roads has increased in recent years, good policies and strategies for road safety are paramount and urgent. In this respect, Ben Buntipilly, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister's Office, discusses the 'Vision Zero', a concept born in Sweden whose aim is to have no loss of life in accidents.

"The approach of the 'Vision Zero' has proved very successful. The concept is based on the simple fact that we are human beings and we make mistakes. The road network should continue to progress. But it must also be designed to protect us at every turn, "said Ben Buntipilly.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Consumer Protection, Cader Sayed-Hossen, present at the opening of the workshop of the Mauritius Standards Bureau, himself has said that road safety remains a priority of the government. "The government is committed to creating the conditions necessary for the safety of citizens. But, we need the cooperation of everyone to do this, "he said. He commented on the ISO39001 standard MS: 2012. "The implementation of the MS standard ISO39001: 2012 is supposed to organizations in a position to improve road safety and reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured in accidents," he argues.